How to say "stay" in Japanese

• 留めるとどめるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbA verb for stopping something or putting an end to it; its 'stay' sense is the narrow one of staying somewhere, as for the night. For stays in general, other words fit better.
• とどまるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbA verb meaning to remain or stay in one place — to stay put rather than the stay as an event or visit. It is usually written in kana alone.
  ここにとどまっていても何なんの得とくもない。↗

  There is no advantage in staying here.
• 滞在たいざいJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe noun for a stay or sojourn — time spent in a place, as on a trip or visit. This is the word you want when 'stay' refers to the stay itself.
  いまおじの家いえに滞在たいざいしています。↗

  I'm now staying at my uncle's.
• 支柱しちゅうCommon
  nounA physical prop, support or brace — a post or strut holding something up. Its 'stay' is the structural sense; it has nothing to do with staying somewhere and is never the word for lodging.
• 駐在ちゅうざいCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbNot a general word for staying: it means residing somewhere as a job posting, i.e. being stationed there, often overseas. Use it for an extended stay tied to work, not for travel or visits.
  彼かれはメキシコ駐在ちゅうざい日本にっぽん公使こうしに任命にんめいされた。↗

  He was appointed Japanese minister to Mexico.

For people staying somewhere, choose 「とどまる」 (remain in one place) or 「留める」 (stay, as for a night); 滞在 names the stay itself, 駐在 is a work posting or being stationed, and 支柱 is a physical prop.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 留めるとどめるto stop
• とどまるto remain
• 滞在たいざいstay
• 支柱しちゅうprop
• 駐在ちゅうざいresidence
• 居座るいすわるto remain
• いらっしゃいcome
• ステイstay
• 宿すしゅくすto stay (at)
• 支えささえsupport
• 居着くいつくto settle down
• 逗留とうりゅうstay
• 宿するしゅくするto stay (at)
• 支索しさくstay
• 在居ざいきょstay
• 居在きょざいstay
• おいでなさいcome
• おいないcome
• 据わるすわるto hold still
• 泊まりとまり(overnight) stay
• お泊まりおとまり(overnight) stay
• いるto stay
• 宿るやどるto stay (at)
• 滞留たいりゅうstay
• 張り付くはりつくto stay (in a place)
• おいで(please) come
• 乗るのるto follow
• 残すのこすto stay (in the ring)
• 投じるとうじるto stay (at a lodging)
• 投ずるとうずるto stay (at a lodging)